Chapter 254
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Chapter 254: The Mercury Ball
The Order of the Moon Witch, also known as the “Lunar Erasure Sect,” venerates the Ultimate Witch and her successive reincarnations. This group believes that one day, “the Ultimate Witch” will ascend to a divine position, and the “Rainbows” will be forced to bow at her feet, forever doomed to serve as her eternal slaves.
Although the Order of the Moon Witch does not worship the Outer Gods, they are considered a cult by many nations. The reincarnation in this generation is Miss Merete Chambers, an enigmatic individual known to Bai Yan. Despite being the so-called master of all believers, the reincarnated Ultimate Witch has no regard for the cult, even referring to them as “traitors.”
Bai Yan, even after experiencing the first playthrough, remains largely unaware of the specifics, but he does know that the Order of the Moon Witch is no innocent group. They have been involved in questionable activities and are far from benevolent. There is no reason for him to draw attention on their behalf in front of the Divine Blade. Thus, Bai Yan remains hidden in the shadows, watching from a distance.
“We will not speak of it. Absolutely not. You can take action!” the leading disciple cried out.
His voice was filled with despair, as if speaking the secret would lead to unimaginable consequences. Or perhaps, the words themselves were simply impossible to articulate.
A flash of silver light. The individual’s head fell to the ground, his body collapsing as blood gushed forth like an unstoppable spring. The blood pooled into puddles on the ground.
The others were frozen in terror, unable to comprehend how the attack had occurred. Two black-armored knights stood unmoved at the entrance of the alley, unwavering in their stoic presence.
The black-armored knight who had been speaking continued, his voice deep and heavy, like machinery grinding bones: “Perhaps someone didn’t hear clearly earlier, so I will repeat the question: Where is the reincarnation of the witch?”
A tense silence followed, no one responding.
Bai Yan observed. The disciples of the Order of the Moon Witch were clearly conflicted—some appeared unwilling to betray their secrets, even though their resolve was faltering.
Another flash of silver light. Two more individuals were beheaded.
The black-armored knight paused, then spoke again, his voice measured, “Where is the reincarnation of the witch?”
A disciple, overcome with despair, finally knelt and begged for mercy, his voice trembling as he lifted his gaze to the two impenetrable adversaries.
“I want to speak! I really do! But we simply cannot betray her. Generation after generation, we are bound by the Mental Imprint, a legend that… that truly exists!”
The black-armored knight nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I have heard of your ancestors. They betrayed the witch, feasting on her flesh and blood, only to be cursed for generations. The Mental Imprint is their curse, a mark that prevents any betrayal of her reincarnation.”
“I had once thought it was merely a legend… but now, I see it is true.”
He sighed, shaking his head with dismay.
“Such is the fate of all of you.”
As his words settled in the air, the disciples of the Order of the Moon Witch went into a frenzy, attempting to break out of the alley. But it was futile. In the blink of an eye, silver light tore through the air, and the group was severed in half. Their bodies shattered, dead beyond salvation.
“It’s over. Let’s go.”
The black-armored knight turned, and his companion silently followed.
After they departed, Bai Yan, who had been hidden in the shadows, emerged. He gazed at the scattered bodies, his thoughts deep in contemplation.
“What kind of attack caused their deaths? I, with my ‘slime’ physiology, shouldn’t be at risk, yet that attack pattern remains mysterious and could pose a threat.”
After a long investigation, he still couldn’t uncover the truth. But it didn’t matter. He was not the target, nor was he an enemy of the Divine Blade knight.
“Divine Blade… In the end, where do your loyalties lie? Humanity or the divine?”
With that, Bai Yan left the scene, heading home. Through his incarnation, he sensed something. His personal maid, “Hidden Azure” Kaluoer, had sneaked out of the villa under the cover of darkness.
“Oh, are you looking for the Mercury Ball?” Bai Yan smiled.
The Mercury Ball was one of his objectives in Annottales.
The dimly lit hall had an air of decay, as if it had been abandoned for some time. A musty scent lingered, adding to the dismal atmosphere.
In the center of the room was a circular silver table, around which five individuals wearing peculiar masks slowly materialized, seated in a circle. The masks were of crimson, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, each representing one of the seven premier assassins of the Mercury Ball.
Currently, the positions of “red” and “purple” were vacant. The blue mask, “Hidden Azure,” was the only exception, regarded as a tool for slaughter rather than a leader within the organization.
The remaining individuals, “orange,” “yellow,” “green,” and “purple,” were the core members of the Mercury Ball, each commanding a sizable faction of assassins under their control.
At the center of the room sat a man wearing a fluid mercury mask, which seemed more like a flowing liquid than a simple mask. His features were indistinct, and his white robe accentuated the mysterious nature of his face. This man was the “host” of the Mercury Ball, a figure of authority higher than the other core members.
Standing in the center of the round table was an ice-blue-haired girl dressed in black and white. She was still and emotionless, as though she were a tool without a soul.
“Hidden Azure.”
A middle-aged woman, wearing a purple mask, spoke from her projection, “Has the investigation into the target been completed?”
With an expression of indifference, Kaluoer replied, “The target has been identified. They are slightly weaker than our intelligence suggested, so the assassination should be relatively simple.”
“Very well.”
The purple-masked woman nodded, seemingly satisfied, and did not press the issue further.
Then an old man wearing an orange mask spoke up.
“Moderator, have you decided to eliminate Viscount Edmond?”
The host, wearing the mercury mask, remained silent for a moment, contemplating. Instead of addressing the question directly, he mentioned another matter.
“Recently, Captain Chris of the ‘Divine Blade’ has returned to Annottales. We must send someone to investigate his intentions, to ensure that Divine Blade does not target the Mercury Ball.”
The projection of the youth with the green mask spoke next, “That ‘monster’ is truly formidable, especially with his unparalleled strength of will. There may be no greater threat in this world.”
The host nodded in agreement. “The saints of Dead Silence have also arrived in Annottales. They are searching for the reincarnation vessel of the Ultimate Witch.”
Dead Silence, the largest cult in the world, worshipped the “Peaceful Songstress,” one of the Outer Gods, seeking eternal tranquility.
The purple-masked woman remarked, “So, the new reincarnation of the Ultimate Witch is here too? This city is about to get very lively. Hidden Azure, be careful not to be crushed by these powerful forces.”
“Your task, however, is not to face such influential figures, but to eliminate a minor target. Consider yourself fortunate.”
Finally, the host raised his hand and issued the command.
“Hidden Azure, eliminate the target.”
The projections slowly faded, leaving only the purple mask, which floated towards Kaluoer.
“That will be all for today.”
The mask glowed faintly with a purple light, its radiance slowly expanding. A unique, twisted agony took root in Kaluoer’s mind. Despite the immense pain that would have broken an ordinary person, Kaluoer remained unaffected. She had long since become numb to such torment.
“You are Hidden Azure, an assassin without a heart. Remember this.”
As the purple mask faded, the dark hall disappeared. Kaluoer opened her eyes, her breathing steady.
There was no hall, no table, no masks. She found herself in a dim alley, deep in thought. It all felt like a fleeting vision, but in reality, it was not.
The Mercury Ball’s hosts possessed the power to manipulate the realm of consciousness, allowing them to orchestrate such experiences. This power had been passed down through generations, many believing it to be linked to the Relic.
It was time to return.
Kaluoer rose from the
darkness and stepped out of
the alley, disappearing into the
shadows. Her mission was to
eliminate Viscount Edmond,
making it appear as an
accident.
Back at the villa, Kaluoer
confirmed that Viscount
Edmond was still asleep.
Satisfied, she turned away.
Yet, something felt off. She
sensed that someone was
watching her.
Looking around, she saw no
one. It was probably an
illusion.
She returned to her room,
pretending to have stayed in all
night.
Meanwhile, Bai Yan, wearing a
classical black robe, stood by
her bedside, his presence calm
yet imposing.
“Let’s begin. Time for a game
of adjusted training.”
His eyes gleamed silver-white.
In that moment, Kaluoer’s
consciousness was
overwhelmed by a powerful
force. The spell was broken,
and her mind was pierced.
Without hesitation, she sprang
into action, her wristblade
aiming directly for Bai Yan’s
neck!
